Called-in decision Ref 23/00612/FUL (NOD-390-001)

This proposal, relating to the formation of a trotting track on land adjacent to Bannockburn Battlefield site, was considered acceptable by Stirling Council. However, the Scottish ministers called in the application, in view of the potential impact on the historic battlefield and listed building of national significance. The reporter considered that planning permission should be granted. The Scottish ministers disagreed with the reporter’s conclusion. They considered that the development would detract from the prominence of the listed building, from views of the topography of the battlefield, and from the ability to appreciate and understand this ‘and how it affected the battle, for example Bruce’s choice of ground for his camp’). Dismissed

This article originally appeared in the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 184, published in September 2025. It was written by Alexandra Fairclough, a member of the IHBC law panel and a barrister (non-practising). She teaches heritage law at Manchester School of Architecture, and is principal built heritage and design officer at Bolton Council.

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

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